Typographical distributing machine



G. E. MARLA TT TYPOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 15. 1926 n flu" Pia- .5 Eu.

Patented Feb. 21, 1928.

UNIT

ED STATES,

GEORGEE'MARLATT, OF PASADENA, CALIFORNIA.

TYPOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

Application filed November 13, 1926. Serial No. 148,306.

' My invention relates to typographical machines of the kind employing matrices which are released from a magazine in the assembling operation and restored to their individual channels in the magazine from which they were released following their'use in a casting operation. In such machines it is common practice to employ many matrices of miscellaneous character not represented on the keyboard'and notv stored in the channels of the magazines. These are known as sorts matrices and are inserted in the assembler by hand. Following their use they are released from the usual distributor bar at a common point and descend through a tube to a common storage tray or stacker. My object is to provide a simple device whereby these sorts matrices may be returned to individual positions in several receptacles, one for each font size of sorts matrices, in order that theymay be readily located and removed from their storage place when needed. I

In the accompanying. drawings Figure 1 is a front elevation showing my improvement located at the rigth hand side of a linotype keyboard, and includes a fragment of the delivery tube leading from the usual distributor bar; Fig. 2 is a section on .13. At their lower ends the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4: is a section on the line 4r4: of Fig. 1.

' Referring to Fig. 1 the matrices X drop from the distributor bar A into a tube B in the well known manner. From the tube '13 they enter a primary opposed-groove channel C formed in opposed plates-D, E of this invention. The matrices have fonteseparating notches X occupying varoious positions on the ends of the matrices according to their font size or style. shape of this font notch determine and control the release of the matrices from the C to various branches 1 to 9) thereof. At the junction of eac branch channel with the primary channel I place a font-distinguisher point F. In each of its occurrences this font distinguisher projects from alblock G, and these blocks serve to space apart the'channel plates D, G these blocks G to the 'V-notch in primary channel are shaped to conform the The position and j nels 8 and 9are branches of a common chanwhich the matrix distributing teeth X are formed. Each branch channel is sub-- branched as at 7, 7 b where it joins the primary channel C. The upper sub-branch 7 receives the upper lugs X of the matrices and the lower subbranch 7 receives the lower lugs X of the matrices. If the font notch X does not correspond in position with the font distinguisher F, the matrix will be supported on the font distinguisherand its lower lugs X will not enter their channel 7 nor will the upper lugs X enter their channel 7 in such case, because since the matrix does not tip these upper lugs will bridge the mouth of their channel 7. It will be noted that upper ends of the blocks G project above the floor of the channel C while the distinguisher (as at F) extends angularly from the upper and outer edge of the block G to a position flush'with font notch on the matrix correspondsin position with the font distinguisher the matrix will be stopped against the block G; otherwise, the matrix will rise on the angular distinguisher and pass thereover to an appropriate channel'therebeyond. If, however, the matrix is stopped against the block (G, for example) it will be unsupported by the 'distinguisher F and its lower lugs will immediately enter their channel 7 the matrix Wlll then turn on its upper lugs X as a pivotal point and when these upper lugs reach their'channel 7 they will'enter therein and the matrix will be conducted to and through its channel'l'. The foregoing description of the entry'of a matrix into the channel numbered 7 will apply to any of the channels (1 toll) and branches thereof. It will be. noted that channels?) and 4 are branchesof a common channel 34, and'chanand are provided with two font distim' floor of the channel C; therefore, ifthe guishers, one of which corresponds in position with the font distinguisher adjacent the primary channel C. In this manner any of the channels may be further branched and the system extended to meet any requirements. The font notches X may be leveled ing lit in the blocks Gr, hence the blocks are shoulders on the pins and serve to space apart the side plates D, E; also, the pins G fit tight in the rear plate D in order that front plate E is removed.

the blockswill retain their position when the .While the foregoing description of the separation of matrices into fonts by gravity has been confined to sorts matrices,'it will be evident'that the same system could be employed for separating matrices destined to different channeled magazines each having a separate distributing system including the distributing bar A and the usual distributing screws (not shown). Any such use is intended to be comprised within the scope of my invention. j

When employed in connection with the sorts storing device to be described, the

channeled font-separating box of the foregoing description may be secured in any suitable manner to the frame Z of the machine with which it is used. It is provided with an adjustable end closing slide H having an opening I which may be made to register with a selected channel (1 to 9). To this end, the slide H is supported on brackets J having aretaining bead J in engagement with a groove H across the under edge of the slide H. The vertical portion of the slide H isiguided between the back plate D and brackets K secured thereto; as thus mounted the slide H is capable of horizontal adjustment in order to register the opening Iwith a selected font-separating channel. Matrices which have entered a previously used channel after an adjustment has been Inadewill be supported as illustrated in channel numbered 4 and will thus remain until the openingI is again registered with their channel. The matrices pass through the opening I and enter a sorts stacker associated, selectively, with a particular channel above the opening I, but a single stacker may be associated with more than one channel; for example, one end of a stacker may receive matrices from one channel and the other end thereof from another channel. Thus the six stackers illustrated would serve in connection with the nine channels, if certain ones thereof were used in connection with two channels as ex'plained.

The stackers or trays L are open at their top to permit the entryof the matrices and are open in front to permit the removal of the matrices when required for use. The

floor of each stacker has a longitudinal rib L corresponding in positionwith the font notch of the matrices intended to be stored in a particular stacker; hence any matrices which have entered a wrong stackerwill be held in raisedposition on this rib L indicating that they belong in some other stacker. The stackers hang on studs M projecting fro-in facing sides of the end members M of a rotatable carrier, the end members M of the carrier being rigid on a tubu i lar shaft N. The carrier as thus constructed is mounted forv rotation en a rigid shaft 0 supported in any suitable manner from the frame of the machine employing the stackers. The shaft 0 is providedwith a longitudinal groove 0 which is engaged by a tongue P on a block P to which is secured a spring Q. When the carrier is rotated to a selected position in order to place a see lected stacker in operative position beneath the slide H, this spring Q, engages one of a series of de'tent depressions M in'one of the end members M, thus holdingthe carrier in a selected position. In order that the block P to which the spring issecured; may be caused to move longitudinally on the shaft 0 with the carrier, it is secured to a disc R which isheld against the end member M by means of a pair of keepers S. As thus constructed, the tongue P prevents the spring Q, and disc R from rotating, while the keepers S rotate with the members M but cause the spring to remain in engagement with the carrier, when it is moved longitudinally on thes shaft 0. The purpose in view in ren dering the carrier longitudinally movable is to position any particular matrix in an operative tray L just beneaththe channel associated with such tray. Since it is necessary to part or open up the stack of matrices in order to remove. a selected matrix,'the matrix will thereforereturn tothe stack opening from which it was removed provided .such opening is placed beneath an appropriate channel. Therefore any matrix taken from any selected tray or stacker will return to its appropriate place provided the precaution is taken to remove it only after the carrier has been rotated and moved endwise to place the matrix beneath the channel through which it will return. If such precaution is not taken beforehand, the slide H and font-distinguishing rib L will serve as explained to notify an operator of a mixed condition of the matrices. An adjustable spring stop T serves to support the stack of matrices in the event that a stacker is only partly filled with matrices.

Having thus described my invention, its use and advantages, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a typographical distributing machine, in combination with matrices having font notches in various positions thereon according to font, a channeled font-separating box through which-said matrices move gravity, and means for directing certain matrices to certain channels therein, said means consisting of font dist-inguishers capable of controlling the entry of said matrices into proper channels according to their position relative to the planes of the font 7 notches on said matrices.

2. In a typographical distributing machine, in combination with matrices having font-separating notches in various positions thereon according to font, a font-separating box having communicating opposed-groove channels therein, and'means for directing said matrices to an associated channel as de termined by the position of the font notch thereon, said means comprising a font distinguisher at the mouth of each of said channels and occupying a position corresponding to the position of the font notch on matrices destined for an associated channel, whereby matrices so destined will be permitted to enter their channel while other matrices will be rejected by said font distinguisher and caused to pass thereover.

3. In a typographical distributing machine, in combination with matrices differentiated according to font, a font-separating box having a separate channel for matrices of each different font, and a tray for receiving matrices from certain of said channels, means for preventing matrices from other channels from entering said tray, said means comprising a closing member II at the discharge end of said channels having a single opening I therethrough and being adjustable relative to said channels in order to register said opening with a selected channel so that matrices may pass from such selected channel through said opening and into said tray. 4:. In a typographical distributing machine, in combination with a tray for storing sorts matrices and a channel through which said matrices are conducted to said tray, means for causing said matrices to enter individual positions in said tray, said means consisting in rendering said tray ad- 'ustable longitudinallyrelative to said channel, whereby that position in said tray from which an individual matrix is removed may be caused to register with said channel in order that said matrix may be caused to return thereto through said channel. 7 5. In a typographical distributing machine, in combination with matrices differentiated as to font and individual trays for matrices of individual font, means whereby said matrices may be caused to enter aselected tray from a common plane, said means consisting in suspending said trays in a rotatable carrier, whereby a selected tray may be carried to a position beneath the plane from which said matrices are delivered.

6. In a typographical distributing machine, a combination as specified in claim 5, including also means whereby said rotatable carrier is adjustable longitudinally in order that individual positions in selected trays may be caused to register with a common point in said common plane, for the purpose specified.

7. In a typographical distributing machine, in combination with sorts matrices having font distinguishing notches in various positions thereon according to font, a tray for matrices of each font, and a fontdistinguishing rib L across the floor of said tray in a position to co-operate with the font notch of matrices intended to be stored in said tray.

Signed at Pasadena, California, this 4th day of November, 1926.

GEORGE E. MARLATT.

Los Angeles County, 

